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Orla is most often considered to be a First Early potato variety however it can grown as if it is an early Maincrop and harvested at any stage up to that point. The longer it is left to grow the more it looses its waxy consistency and becomes more floury.
Disease resistance is good as far as tuber blight is concerned and Orla is also moderately resistant to scab. This variety was awarded An Award of Garden Merit (AGM) by the RHS in 2007. The final height of the plants is 60cm so they should withstand windy conditions well.
The thin skin is light brown coloured and the flesh is light yellow. There are few eyes to this variety and those that are present are shallow. Taste is good and fresh, the main cooking use is as a boiled potato.
Orla Potatoes
Orla potatoes should be grown in the normal manner for First Early potatoes. Click here for our detailed page about growing potatoes. The advice applies to growing potatoes in containers as well as in open ground.
The best time to chit / sprout Orla is the first week of March in average areas of the UK.
Sprouted Seed Potatoes
Being a First Early variety it is definitely worth chitting / sprouting Orla potatoes - it will give a more reliable crop although not absolutely necessary. Click here for our advice on how and why to chit / sprout potatoes.
The best time to plant out chitted / sprouted Orla potatoes is about the first week of April in average areas of the UK.
Planting out on this date will give the chitted / sprouted potatoes about four weeks before they reach the surface of the soil. Whilst they are growing towards the soil surface the sprouts will be protected from frost by the surrounding soil.
By the time they do appear above the soil, the danger of frost will have passed and the sprouts will not be damaged by frost.
As with all vegetables, the time for harvest is dependent on many factors such as the weather conditions while they are growing and the general soil conditions.
On average however you can expect to start harvesting Orla potatoes in the fourth week of June in average areas of the UK. The potatoes can be left in the ground up to mid-September for a later crop.
Using the above date as a guide we would advise that a week before that date you use your hand to search through the soil to harvest one or two potatoes. The term often used for this activity is known in gardening circles as "furtling"!
Flower of Orla Potatoes
It does almost no damage to the remaining potatoes but allows you to examine one or two of the potatoes to ensure they are of approximately the correct size. If they are, start harvesting, if not wait for a week or two and try again.
Harvesting Orla potatoes can be spread over three to four weeks. First Early potatoes do not store for very long so be sure to read our page on storing potatoes to get the most from your crop of Orla potatoes.
For other second early potatoes we have tested, select one from the drop down list below.
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